The Roar
The Roar

Advertisement

Female commentators deserve more respect

Roar Rookie
4th October, 2009
Advertisement
Roar Rookie
4th October, 2009
41
3480 Reads

On Saturday the Westfield W-League kicked off on ABC1 with a Grand Final replay between Brisbane Roar and Canberra United. The Roar and Tameka Butt were awesome, and so were the women commentating on the match in former Matildas’ captain Cheryl Salisbury and defender Amy Taylor.

Both ladies were entertaining and informative with a relaxed attitude. But their appointment did raise the question: do you need to play at the highest level to be a good commentator?

In recent times female commentators have found their way into the boys club gracing our television sets and radios. Whilst obviously well respected by their male counterparts for their knowledge and professionalism, the public, and let’s face males, have greeted this change with some hostility.

Most recently BBC commentator Jacqui Oatley and Australian commentator Kelli Underwood have been in the firing line coping some ill-informed and plain sexist comments.

Not surprising a few comments were directed their way by some disgruntled, presumably, males in YouTube comments to videos of their work.

On Jacqui – “Football is a chance for men to block out having to interact with women for just 90 minutes, having a female commentator is just wrong.

“What a joke. She should be in the kitchen preparing John Motson’s tea not commentating herself!”

On Kelli – “Westie ****** speaking through their nose don’t need to be in my lounge room. We don’t need an advertisement to the world that Australian women are trash. Shrieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek. God what an awful voice.”

Advertisement

A major criticism is also the fact that these women have never played at the highest level and, therefore, couldn’t possibly have any idea about the game.

Let’s examine this with through two quick examples: Martin Tyler (Sky Sports) and Simon Hill (Fox Sports).

Along with the aforementioned John Motson, Martin Tyler is the premier voice in English football and like many I grew up listening to Martin commentate every major football final. Voted the FA Premier League Commentator of the Decade, Tyler is a well-credentialed and respected journalist.

However, shock, horror, Tyler has never played any top-flight football. I have had the great pleasure of speaking with Martin on numerous occasions. Only speaking with Cesc Fabregas or Cristano Ronaldo could have left me as speechless, and he would be the first to tell you his playing career was never spectacular.

The Australian football equivalent of Tyler is Fox Sports’ Simon Hill. Despite being a Manchester City tragic (we forgive you Simon), Hill has managed to overcome that disadvantage to become the voice of Australian football. In recent times it is almost impossible to recall a major Australian football moment that Simon has not commentated.

Yet, despite probably dreaming about it, Simon Hill never pulled on the jumper and played on the hallowed turf of the City of Manchester Stadium. I have also had the pleasure of speaking with Hill and considering his two major deficiencies (Man City and the whole playing thing), he manages to carry on a surprisingly intelligent and knowledgeable conversation about football.

Just two examples from the world of football and don’t get me started with AFL. The sport is riddled with them: Bruce McAvaney, Tim Lane, Stephen Quartermaine, Anthony Hudson etc.

Advertisement

So considering the above, is the adage truly relevant? From the research I would say no. If that’s the case, why aren’t female commentators taken as seriously? Personally, I believe that the sporting public is so used to male voices that they are instantly resistant to a females tone, pitch etc. However, like all other things in life, the more exposure we get of these talented, experienced and worthy individuals, the more they will grow on us.

I mean, who ever thought the game of football would take off in this country!

close